Buyers Tips

Buying a residence can be a stressful experience. You will experience a roller coaster of emotions while finding the right place, securing the loan, and finally moving in. For most of us, the first time home purchase is the largest investment we’ve ever considered. The emotions of purchasing something so expensive and personal can often cloud our business judgment.

Imagine the Property Vacant

Your furnishings and decorations will be the ones filling this new residence. Don’t be swayed by beautiful furniture; it leaves with the owner.

Income + Lifestyle = Mortgage Payment

Sit down with your professional real estate agent and honestly discuss your income level and living expenses. Take into account future considerations, children, add-ons, amenities, and fix-ups. Your dream home is certainly worth a sacrifice, but don’t mortgage your entire future.

View Several Homes

See at least 7-10 properties. Don’t move too slowly, but don’t move on the first property you see. With our you will be able to view enough properties to get a good overall perspective of the home market. When you find the right property, all the leg work will be worth it.

Utilize Your Team

By aligning yourself with us, you will have an entire team at your disposal. Utilize your lender, title rep, and agent. Each of them should work hand in hand for your benefit. Explore all the options before you sign.

Be a Detective

Check out all costs and expenses before you sign, including utilities, taxes, insurance, maintenance, and home owner dues if applicable. Make sure all utilities (gas, electricity, and water) are on during your walk-through so you can inspect everything in working order. Ask lots of questions and be very detail conscious.

Do a Final Walk-through

Visit the property after all furnishings have been moved out to be sure there are no surprises. Be absolutely positive the property was left exactly as you had agreed upon in the contract. Things that could have been spotted in a final walk-through are often unintentionally overlooked.

Plan For Flexibility

Closing dates are not written in stone. Allow for contingencies and have a back-up plan. If you or the sellers need a little more time to conclude the final arrangements, don’t let these delays upset or frustrate you. These types of circumstances are not uncommon in a real estate transaction.

If It’s Not In Writing, It Doesn’t Exist

All promises and discussions should be in writing. Don’t make any assumptions or believe any assurances. Even the best intentions can be misinterpreted. Have your professional keep an ongoing log in writing of all discussions and get the seller’s written approval on all agreements.

Loyalty Breeds Loyalty

Be open, honest and up front with your team. As we will be with you. Hard feelings and disloyalty will cause headaches, delays or may even keep you from getting into the home you worked so hard to locate. Now that you’ve selected the right team your first home purchase will be a pleasing and memorable experience.

Testimonials

By pure chance, we bumped into Gerry one Sunday afternoon while driving through the neighbourhood that we were finally ready to move into. Not only did Gerry listen to exactly what we were looking for, within a few short days he worked diligently and professionally to close on a house for us that we knew was our home as soon as he showed it to us.
Gerry kept in constant touch with us, his knowledge of Gallaghers Canyon is second to none, he provided us with absolutely everything we needed t…

Colin & Anne - Kelowna, BC- May 2015

We were newcomers to Kelowna and we found George Patridge to be the ideal person for us. He has the patience of “Job” and he certainly needed it with us. He showed us houses time and time again happily imparting knowledge as he went. We visited Kelowna four or five times and each time he was there for us showing and reshowing properties before we finally made our move. One time we flew in for five hours and he picked us up at the airport, took us around to see houses and then dropped us back…

Joe & Patricia – May 2012

It has been about a month since we bought our home in Kelowna and we are loving it! Thanks to George, Gerry and the staff at the Fraser Patridge Group for making such a big move for us as smooth as it was. And special thanks to George Patridge who went way above and beyond what we were used to in dealing with other agents.
We had been in our previous home in the Lower Mainland for 27 years so making a move to Kelowna, as beautiful as it is here, was a huge decision for us. We did not know man…

Don & Jan Iannucci - Oct. 2015

Having been transferred from out of province, and being completely unfamiliar with Kelowna and its various areas, we were so fortunate to have George Patridge recommended to us! From our first conversation, I knew that George would be the right person for us to work with in finding our new home. He took the time to get to know us, and our wants and needs in a home and neighbourhood. He worked with us patiently for many months to narrow down our choices before our buying trip of just 1 week…

Pat & Tanya - March 2015

As always Gerry, you are a “professional” in every way. I rely on your “Gallaghers” knowledge and appreciate working with you as a colleague!
Sherrin Stewart – The Jane Hoffman Group
Dec. 2016

During the eight years we lived in Gallagher’s Canyon, we came to know Gerry Fraser as a loyal friend, a staunch promoter and member of the community, and an ethical and trustworthy realtor. When the time came to list our house, we had no hesitation in calling in the Fraser Patridge Group. In no time at all, Gerry had organized an impressive photographic package for the house and a marketing strategy. The prospective buyers fell in love with the house based on the photos and lost no time in ch…

As members of the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors, we thank you for your generous sponsorship of our “Symphony in White Garden Party” that was held on July 15th here at Gallaghers Canyon. The proceeds from the event will support the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra (OSO), particularly its outreach and education programs, and the Okanagan Symphony Youth Orchestra (OYSO). As you are aware the “Symphony in White Garden Party” was a private fundraising event that attracted 96 women residen…

Okanagan Symphony Orchestra

The best way for us to rate Gerry Fraser is by the numbers – 1 listing, 2 showings, 3 days to sell, and 99% of asking price. It doesn’t get much better than that. If you’re looking for a realtor who knows how to make it happen, either buying or selling, call Gerry.
Oh yes, one other number – this is the third time we’ve used him.
Rick and Bev – October 2016

We are writing to express our appreciation for the assistance provided by George Patridge.
In recent years we have completed five Real Estate transactions through George and have appreciated his professionalism, knowledge, and support in selecting appropriate properties for our requirements. We particularly appreciated the assistance he provided in the sale of our house which, in spite of some difficult circumstances, was completed in two weeks.
We have no hesitation recommending George to…

Jim & Louise – Kelowna, BC

Thanks to Gerry and all those who have appealed to put the pressure on. Gerry, you mobilized the community and we did our thing…You have put money in all our pockets for which we are all very grateful!!!